The social aspect of Barbacoas
Barbacoas is characterised by a complex and contrasted social landscape, like most of the Middle Magdalena Valley. Nearly a hundred families live confined to stream shores without public services or land ownership, and are dependent on fish and other products extracted from rivers and swamps. In the surrounding areas, a small group of people own large haciendas which are mainly dedicated to extensive and non-sustainable cattle farming at the expense of forests and water resources on which the community relies.
Biodiversa is working hand in hand with regional environmental authorities and local communities towards the declaration of a regional protected area in Barbacoas. This project includes a community-based fisheries monitoring and management plan to ensure the sustainability of fish populations, and to empower the local community as guardians of their own natural resources and as key actors in the conservation of Barbacoas.
In El silencio Natural reserve we are also exploring sustainable economic alternatives based on conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, such as biological agriculture and food production in reduced spaces. These activities parallel outreach programs that promote community empowerment through awareness campaigns and technical training for local conservation leaders. We are also developing pilot projects based on alternatives to traditional cattle farming with land owners, such as productive reforestation with native timber and non timber products and sustainable silvopastoral cattle farming systems.